For color to have its most dramatic impact, it must be held in reserve. The majority of this work has very little color so the nectarines may be fully realized. Color against non-color, this against that, the very essence of Art.

The thinking is always to move your eyes from left to right in Western civilization. On the far left is a prelude to the end, where all lines and movement culminate in the glow of the last peach. The secondary idea of repeated form, emphasizes the movement. Beginnings, endings, and echoes: instruments in the orchestra of thought.

Cool colors in red, yellow, and blue lead the eye to the warm orange glaze on the ginger jar and down to the luminous white of the peeled lemon. Using contrasting color temperature is a fundamental “this against that” for drama and movement.

The center is avoided for no other reason than we are told to avoid it. The white and blue is the center of interest and rightly stakes its claim there. Circular movement away from the center in color, line, and value provides our secondary motif. Bold and dramatic, simple and intelligent concepts: the very essence of Art.

In Italy I realized beauty was something deeper and more profound than I had previously thought. It takes time, a lifetime. I was so moved by Italy and it’s people that I dedicated this to Florence, and devoted every inch of this work to beauty.

The secondary theme consists of: violet plums and a blue vase; the primary theme is its complement: orange peaches and a yellow vase. Both themes allow for a rhythmic movement of foreground to background to foreground. The neutral background and table top echo the theme. A musical idea interpreted to a visual concept.

Moving from a dark value and cool violet to a light value and warm orange is the dominant idea. The neutral clay vase, cloth, and leaves assist our main actors in their performance. From dark into light, cool into warm, we move with simplicity.

Unifying elements into something new is a key to the beauty of Art. A single pear acts as a triangle, a pair of pears create a dramatic negative shape and a square positive shape. These new shapes invigorate the mind and create movement and drama.

Seeking harmony and movement in color, a dull red background combined with a muted brass pot allows the fiery orange clementines their starring role. Three strong colors that unite well, if they can be contained.